Call for Proposals (Art Songs)

Castle of our Skins (COOS), a Boston-based organization dedicated to celebrating Black artistry through music, is seeking art songs inspired by the words of Black artists, leaders, and other figures of Black history, both past and present. Commissioned premieres for voice and chamber ensemble will be featured in the 2015 – 2016 season with a planned performance for the Spring of 2016. Please read the details below:

Fee:

There will be a $10 submission fee for each proposal submitted. Composers wishing to submit more than one proposal must submit a separate application fee per submission. Fees may be submitted electronically through Paypal.

Compensation:

Selected composers will receive a professional audio and video recording of the premiere performance, features on our website and social media, and the possibility of future performances.

Eligibility and style:

This call for proposals is open to anyone who defines his or herself as a composer of music. We welcome all styles, up to and including tonal music, post tonal and polystylistic, notated free improv/jazz, etc... Please visit our website to learn more about our performers and performances, both for and outside of COOS!

Deadline:

The January 10, 2015 deadline has since passed.

Content of submission:

A 1-page bio, including your most current contact information including website link.

A 1 – 3 page proposal indicating the text of your project, the motivation behind choosing this text, a brief description of the author of the text (if author is a lesser-known figure), the possible plan of the piece (structure, format, instrumentation, voice type[s], symbolism, and length up to 12 minutes), proof of permission to use the text or an indication that the text is in the public domain, and any other relevant material that would enhance the presentation of a new work to a potential interpreting ensemble.

A separate pdf of the text, including the year (if known), and any translations/transliterations. PLEASE DO NOT include the text in the proposal!

A music sample: 2 – 3 samples of pdf scores and audio links (personal website links, soundcloud, dropbox, wetransfer, youtube/vimeo, reverbnation, myspace, etc …) of your previous work that you feel would most represent the work you would compose for this project. If your proposed work will be completely different, then a sample of past work will suffice with an indication that the work for the proposal will be different from your past work. PLEASE DO NOT attach audio files to your e-mail!

A word on the text:

The text must come from a Black artist or figure in Black history, both past and present. The text is not limited to poets from Black Americans, but can include, for example, living African poets, text from political speeches by present Black politicians or Black political figures, Afro-Cuban or Afro-Caribbean prose, etc … We encourage exploration of great text that may not be as widely known or beloved, however any text in the public domain or with permissions is applicable.

Timeline of the project:

The DEADLINE of submitting proposals was 11:59PM on January 10, 2015.

Proposals will be reviewed and selected proposals were announced on our website by February 15, 2015.

Scores will be due by November 15, 2015. COOS will professionally review the works to make logistical suggestions. A final draft of the score will be due by January 15, 2016.

Performance in the Spring TBA.

Available instrumentation and voice types:

Voice types available: soprano, mezzo, tenor, countertenor, and baritone. The proposed work can utilize no more than 2 vocalists.

Instruments available: 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello, and piano. Option of using any combination of available instruments; unaccompanied voice works are not permitted.– At this time, the use of electronics is not permitted, however the use of video projection will be seriously considered.

Please submit proposals to:

castleskins [at] gmail [dot] com

Please use the subject heading: Call for Proposals 2015: “Your Name”

Questions?

Please don’t hesitate to ask! Send any inquiries to: castleskins [at] gmail [dot] com, and please visit www.castleskins.org for more information about what we do and who we are. We are looking forward to reviewing your work!

Special thanks to the following organizations for supporting Castle of our Skins over the years:​